At Least Cordero Has His Health

All it takes to know the kind of year it has been for Montreal Expos infielder Wilfredo Cordero is a look at his face and arms, still covered with scars from the chicken pox he contacted just about the time his sprained ankle was healing up. This was before he missed more time with a sprained middle finger on his left hand.

"I had them bad," Cordero said, fingering the splotches on his arm that were left behind by the infection. "The doctor was frightened to even look at them. He just said: `Here, take this.' With the kind of year I was having, the only thing to do is just concentrate on doing your job."

Cordero was called up recently to take the place of Spike Owen, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 20).

"We have young kids coming in here like birds," said Manager Felipe Alou, shaking his head. "I'm not certain we can expect (Cordero) to be completely sharp, considering he's only been back for four or five games after his finger injury. But at least he's

healthy."